What is the most fun part of your job?
Ross: Anytime I have a camera in my hand. It's what I love, and it's why I'm here. Only five other guys in the world get to be out in these oceans, on a boat like this, with a camera; it's a privilege I will never take for granted.

Fructoso: Sailing with my friends, living in a boat....

Hooper: Being part of a really great team. Not only the 10 other guys on the boat, but also all of the shore crew. It is an amazing group who seem to really enjoy each other's company, which is a very important thing in a campaign like the Volvo race.

What scares you about the journey that lies ahead?
Ross: Losing perspective, originality. Running out of new angles. Already things that only a week ago seemed interesting have become normal to me. Going 27 knots. First time: WOW moment. Third consecutive day of it: so when are we going to hit 40?

Hooper: Crossing the equator for the first time in a few days.

Does the crew treat you like one of their own, or are you more of a fly on the wall?
Ross: One of their own. We've got a great group of guys on the team‚ a very experienced group‚ and they know that for them to do well in this race they need everyone's help. The more they make me feel like a part of the team, and they have, the more I want to help, the more enthusiastic I get about meals, coffees, and snacks. It's the only way I can legally enhance the performance of this boat. Of course, it also helps make my media job easier. It will be a lot easier to ask a difficult question if I'm one of 11 rather than an outsider to 10. I've spent a lot of my time working on that, on being a part of the team. Going to all of the workouts, team meetings, etc.

Fructoso: For sure, they help me, and I help them. I am part of the crew, but with a different role.

Hooper: I am really lucky that the guys I guess have taken me in and treat me like one of the team. They appreciate what my role is and that it plays an important task for everyone, especially our sponsors, who without we wouldn't be doing what we do.

Have their been any initiation rituals?
Ross: None yet, but the equator is only two days away (see photos of the rituals here)

Fructoso: I've never crossed the equator, and all the crew are waiting for this moment to make the "King Neptune" ritual. I am a little bit nervous with this, jejeje. They told me a lot of stories about this during this days.

Hooper: No initiation rituals, but I am sure there will be something along those lines when we cross the equator!

Learn any good jokes?
Ross: Not any clean enough to write in a magazine!

Hooper: Yep, and as the skipper is an Aussie: Why wasn't Jesus born in Australia? They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin.